German Developer Award

2007

2007/12/14

The German Developers’ Prizes were awarded amidst an impressive display of sound, smoke and light effects at the Lichtburg in Essen. The collegial atmosphere saw contacts made, hands shaken and numerous tipples tippled. A pleasant evening in an equally pleasant ambience, which will remain a lastingly happy memory for many developers.

An apparently political speech introduced the main event. Once again the theme selected was violence in computer games, and in the same way requested that critics not always lay the responsibility for violent altercations between young people and others at the door of the media, such as music, films or even especially games. One pleasing piece of news for all was the fact that the European Union has finally recognised games as culture. The prize winners held many unusual and witty speeches, with a prevailing feeling of friendship, relaxation and comfort.

About 900 personalities from the games industry, including developers, publishers, editors and other traders and those interested in our favourite medium attended this year’s party. While last year’s event welcomed 620 guests, which in 2006 marked a new record, this year’s new high in guest numbers was overbid. Wherever you looked, you could see laughing guests, excited developers and beautiful ladies striking poses to advertise various companies. Naturally, the connoisseurs and addicts could also get their hands on the latest PC or XBox 360 games. Great service, a thrilling show and a great bunch of people rounded off this positive evening.

There was however also a slight breakdown. The loudspeakers in the hall suddenly announced that we would have to kindly leave the building due to a technical defect. Most of the guests left the building at a very relaxed, amused pace, with no sign of panic or stress, to face the bitter cold outside. Some people assumed that it was a joke plotted by certain people who wanted to hold the event in Munich. The fire brigade and the police did their bit, and it soon turned out that the large amounts of smoke which were produced for the show were the source of the problems. After a short break in the fresh air, the visitors flowed back into the decked-out cinema hall.

But let’s cut to the chase. Various games from different genres targeting different customer groups were nominated. All of the nominees and winners can be found on the official website of the event. Here is a listing of the games distinguished with special prizes, and their developers:

Best German Mobile Game: Blades & Magic, developed by FISHLABS Entertainment GmbH

Best German Children’s Game: Simon the Sorcerer 4, developed by Silverstyle

Best German Youth Game: Crazy Machines 2, developed by Fakt Software GmbH

Best German Handheld Game: Anno 1701 – Dawn of Discovery (DS), developed by keen games GmbH & Co.

Best Interface: Die Siedler – Aufstieg eines Königreichs (Settlers – Rise of a Kingdom), developed by Blue Byte GmbH

Best Cut Scenes / Intros: Die Siedler – Aufstieg eines Königreichs (Settlers – Rise of a Kingdom), developed by Blue Byte GmbH

Best Story / Game World: Jack Keane, developed by DECK 13 Interactive GmbH

Best Game / Level Design: Die Siedler – Aufstieg eines Königreichs (Settlers – Rise of a Kingdom), developed by Blue Byte GmbH

Best Soundtrack / In-Game Sound: Die Siedler – Aufstieg eines Königreichs (Settlers – Rise of a Kingdom), developed by Blue Byte GmbH

Best Game Graphics: Die Siedler – Aufstieg eines Königreichs (Settlers – Rise of a Kingdom), developed by Blue Byte GmbH

And the best for last (who could it possibly be...):

Best German Game 2007: Die Siedler – Aufstieg eines Königreichs (Settlers – Rise of a Kingdom), developed by Blue Byte GmbH

Obviously, the folks from Blue Byte GmbH were the big winners with their popular strategy game ‘Settlers – Rise of a Kingdom’. With six nominations and six prizes awarded, they stole the show. But what surprised and annoyed absolutely no one was the fact that the game has been released internationally and has received predominantly good reviews.

Conclusion

A great event, which won over almost everyone. The jury once again did a good job, and even if an individual title was often the centre of attention, the end result was correct. Naturally, there were discrepancies and a few sullen or surprised faces when the winners of certain categories were announced. Nonetheless, there were almost only cheerful, jolly tempered folk to be seen at the end of the event and at the after-party which followed. We look forward to next year, when the most innovative and creative developers and their work will once again enter the fray.